tie against Premier Division giants Arsenal as "one of the games of my life.'' Lightbourne and Scarborough lost 1-0 on a spectacular strike by Nigel Winterburn but managed to more than hold their own against their more fancied opponents in a match played in wet and foggy conditions before a capacity crowd at McCain Stadium.

In fact the Third Division minnows had the ball in the back of the net on one occasion when Lightbourne's strike partner Darren Foreman put the ball over the line only to have the goal disallowed for offside.

Lightbourne was substituted midway through the second half but felt he acquitted himself well.

"I think it went all right considering the muddy conditions and (magnitude of) the game,'' said Lightbourne, enjoying his second start since joining the club last month. "There was so much fog that you couldn't see from the halfway line to the goal. It was fun for me and definitely one of the games of my life.'' This against a team the tall striker followed as a youngster and containing the likes of England internationals Ian Wright, Alan Smith and Lee Dixon.

An added bonus came after the match as Lightbourne had the opportunity to speak with Wright and former Luton Town midfielder Ricky Hill.

"They (Hill and Wright) said they thought I had a good game and did well for someone just coming into the league. It was encouraging and a definite confidence boost coming from them.'' Lightbourne, a key player in Bermuda's recent World Cup drive, enjoyed the pace of the match which he said was much slower and more deliberate than that usually encountered in the lower divisions.

"The higher you go up the better,'' said Lightbourne. "They allow you more room and you do things more correct.

"They give you respect. In the Third Division there is no respect...they try to run right through you.'' Next up for Scarborough and Lightbourne are Shrewsbury in a crucial league match on Saturday. The latter stand fifth in the tables, two ahead of Scarborough and nine behind leaders Barnet.

Not far away is a match at home against Hereford United (February 5) which could see an unprecedented act with the possibility of three Bermudians taking the pitch in an English professional match with Kentoine Jennings and Meshach Wade teammates at Hereford.

The following is the semifinal draw for the women's FA Cup with both matches being held on Saturday at BAA field.

Dandy Stars v Telecom (7 p.m.); Rude Girls v Somerset Terminators (9 p.m.).

KYLE LIGHTBOURNE -- encourgerd by Ian Wright.